God Speaks
Positives and Negatives in the Reigns of Hezekiah, Manasseh and Amon
Verse of the Day: In his distress [Manasseh] sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to Him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God. (Isaiah 33:12-13 NIV 2011) [Manasseh put action to his repentance–rebuilding the wall and the military, getting rid of the foreign gods, their images and altars, restoring the worship of the LORD and setting an example for the people to do the same.]
Read or listen on BibleGateway.com
Watch TBR Day 215
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding 2 Chronicles 32-33:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
2 Chronicles 32
1. God is pleased when people (like Hezekiah at first) turn to Him, consult Him, tear down “idols” in their lives, and build up defenses against enemies (His and theirs) that are seeking to destroy them and dishonor Him. The LORD is displeased when people are proud and self-promoting, as King Hezekiah was later in his life.
2. People need to develop a holy fear of God and draw wisdom from His words so that they can escape judgment now or in eternity.
2 Chronicles 33
1. God accepts and blesses even evil people like Manasseh, if they will turn to Him, admit their need, receive His forgiveness, hold Him in highest esteem, and trust and obey Him, as he did later in life.
2. People need to live by Manasseh’s example of repentance and obedience, not Amon’s. He never repented of the evil he had done.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding 2 Chronicles 32-33?
O Sovereign LORD, thank You for these three examples of how people might or might not live according to Your ways. Hezekiah began well: tearing down the altars, sacred pillars, and Asherah poles dedicated to false gods and reinstituting the services and ceremonies at the Temple of the LORD. Later in life, however, he became prideful and self-reliant instead of trusting and obeying You. In the beginning, Manasseh turned his back on You and Your ways, but You used defeat, suffering, and deep distress to get him to humble himself before You. He finally realized (as all people should) that You, the LORD, alone are God! He spent the rest of his life worshiping and actively serving You and following Your instructions. Amon did evil and rebellious things all his short reign. He never turned to You. Holy Spirit, please help me (and multitudes of others) to emulate the good parts of Hezekiah’s and Manasseh’s lives. Then we will all bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to 2 Chronicles 32-33? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will ask God what He thinks of a particular issue and act accordingly.
- I will ask God the Holy Spirit to set up an alarm system to warn me when I am tempted to do anything against the LORD’s will and ways. (I think that is called my conscience.)
- I will act against evil as God directs and empowers me.
- I will seek to be a good role model of following Christ to those around me.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.